Back By Popular Demand...

Smell. Taste. Explore.

After years of experience, with more than 1,000 tastings executed, and our first year of Wine Foundations a remarkable success, we are thrilled to announce the return of Wine Foundations; a six-week course! Curated and designed for the beginner's mind to intermediate-level wine lovers, Wine Foundations is the perfect entry point to the next stage of your wine journey. 

Over the course of six weeks, we will embark on a sensory exploration into the fundamental characteristics of wine experience, tasting 8 to 12 wines each week. We will start at the roots and learn how a wine is made, gradually narrowing our focus to explore key regions, their significant varietals, and prominent wine types. You will leave this course with renewed confidence in your wine knowledge and new curiosity in expanding your palate. 

“Michael and his team created a great course to understand and develop an informed appreciation of wine. It was “hard work” tasting over a hundred wines, but it was fun and very informative” – Joe S.

“I would recommend this class to anyone who enjoys wine. I felt very comfortable even though I am a complete novice. The instructors and staff were knowledgeable, kind, friendly and welcoming. I learned so much and look forward to learning more!” – Rita G.

During this course, you will learn:

• How to taste wine, identify key aromas & flavors, and pair wine with food

• The hallmark traits of major grape varietals, wine regions, and wine types

• The significance of terroir and how it presents itself in your wine glass

• How to navigate a wine store and restaurant wine list with ease
  
  
  
  
   

"From an avid wine drinker, to relative novice like myself, this class is 100% for anyone. I had an amazing experience learning about every single region in the wine realm. Maria and Michael are literally a fountain of knowledge and they truly have a strong passion for not only wine, but also the history and complexity of it as well. I can now read a wine menu with confidence, walk through a liquor store and find the right varietal for me, and most importantly, talk about wine with my new customers! I highly recommend this class to everyone and anyone who has an interest in wine or wants to understand it more. Thank you very much for helping me open my palate a little more and gaining so much knowledge!!!" - Evan W.

Take a step in the world of wine with us and ...

• Taste up to 70 wines!
• Learn from Passion Vines' experts, winemakers, industry experts, vineyard owners and more!
• Expose yourself to new varietals
• Evolve your tasting skills

“Michael and his staff were very knowledgeable. For Beginner wine drinkers, the course was not intimidating but very eye opening. On the other hand there was still much learned by more experienced wine lovers also. The course was very well done and Michael and his staff are the best!” – Russell S.

This is an essential course for those in the industry! Share your knowledge in the workplace, job interviews and on your resume!

"The passion and emotion behind the Wine Foundations course are what made it so amazing. I gained a greater confidence on wines from more new world places such as Chile, Argentina and South Africa, places I may have (for no reason other than being unaware) been biased against prior to the course. Wine Foundations allowed me to share this information with my staff, which in turn helped expand their knowledge and confidence of wines." - Sinead F.

Course Layout

Week 1: We will uncover what wine is & how its made. We will begin the process of understanding how to taste terroir & the characteristics of the wine in the glass. We will review keywords and the language of the wine world as well as touch on old and new world wines. 

Week 2: Exploring wines of the old world, part 1: uncover the wines of France!

Week 3: Exploring wines of the old world, part 2: uncover the wines of Italy!

Week 4: Exploring wines of the old world, part 3: uncover the wines of Spain, Portugal, Germany & Austria!

Week 5: Exploring wines of the new world, part 1: uncover the wines of California and the Pacific Northwest, including Oregon & Washington State!

Week 6: Exploring wines of the new world, part 2: uncover the wines of the Southern Hemisphere, including South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. We will also put our students to the test with a blind wine challenge and celebrate graduation!

This course will be held on Tuesdays from January 14th through February 18th at Linwood Country Club

Classes will start at 6:30 pm

Each class will be approximately 2 hours 

Crostini & Cheese will be provided for palate cleansing.

Seating is limited to 40 students per class 

Prepayment & Registration for this course is required

Please select "In-Store Pickup" during checkout.

*Tasting certificates cannot be applied to this purchase